Concert in the Park series begins June 17 By: Rhonda Dedyne [Click here to print article] Concert in the Park series begins June 17 Wednesday evenings at SJ City Park Performance Shell Warm summer evenings and great music - that's free and close to home. It's a perfect solution for a quick pick-me-up in tough economic times like these. That's what local audiences can expect at the annual Concert in the Park series on Wednesday evenings at the St. Johns City Park Performance Shell. The music begins at 7 p.m. each week starting June 17 and ending Aug. 26; bring a blanket or chair for lawn seating. This year's series features a blend of long-time favorites, first-time Shell performers - and the return of Clinton County Idol. Talented musicians and singers from the mid-Michigan area are part of each week's line-up that's laden with local talent. "The Shell Programming Committee looks for quality groups that offer a nice mix of musical styles and feature local groups and individuals," committee member Bill Tennant says about this year's selections that were made by members of the Clinton County Arts Council, a co-sponsor of the series along with the City of St. Johns. Slingshot, a new classic rock/country group, opens this year’s series with John Kelly as its leader. Other groups include the classic rock band Conchord, and Jagwire Country, a new group with Louie Longoria, in a show that is jointly sponsored with the Clinton County 4-H & Youth Fair. Last year's Clinton County Idol winner, Luke Cyrus, is set to perform a variety of music with his full band. Encore performances in the series include the DeWitt Community Concert Band with founder/conductor Pat Jackson taking the podium for the very last time; the Mid-Michigan Festival Orchestra under the direction of Rodney Page; the Capital City Chordsmen, an outstanding barbershop chorus; and a repeat appearance by the "King" - Elvis impersonator, Matt King. Three special programs are part of the musical schedule. The world-renowned Millennium Brass, a professional group of brass players from around the United States, will play July 8. The group includes St. Johns High School alumna, Lisa Ormston Bontrager, who is currently the French Horn professor at Penn State University. A fully staged production of the hit Broadway musical “Grease” is planned for Aug. 19, under the direction of St. Johns High School theatre director Ashley Bowen. The cast and pit orchestra will include local residents. Preliminary rounds of Clinton County Idol are set for July 14 with the finals taking place the following evening, July 15. Information and applications are available at the Clinton County Arts Council Gallery, 211 N. Clinton Ave., downtown St. Johns, and St. Johns City Offices in the Clinton County Courthouse. Application forms can be downloaded at the CCAC or City web sites. Information is available by calling 989-224-8159 or 989-224-6134. The St. Johns Lions and Lioness Club will staff a concession stand each Wednesday, offering light refreshments. All concerts are held rain or shine. Following is the 2009 Concert in the Park schedule June 17: Slingshot June 24: DeWitt Community Concert Band July 1: Conchord July 8: Millennium Brass July 14-15: Clinton County Idol July 22: Mid-Michigan Festival Orchestra July 29: Jagwire Country with Louie Longoria Aug. 5: Capital City Chordsmen Aug. 12: Luke Cyrus Band Aug. 19: "Grease" Musical Production Aug. 26; Elvis impersonator, Matt King